Palestinian Corruption and Poverty

Yasser Arafat is one of the world's richest men. His people languish in poverty.

By all accounts, Yasser Arafat is a very wealthy individual. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) believes that he has $900 million in just one undisclosed bank account, and Rawya Shawa of the Palestinian Legislative Council declared that he has wealth totaling a staggering $4 billion.

Meanwhile, the Palestinian population has become increasingly poor. Many are now seeing this as a deliberate strategy, whereby the PA and Hamas are creating Palestinian poverty in order to stoke anger against Israel.

The UN, Red Cross, USA, Israel, Europe and other world governments have poured money into the Palestinian territories. However, In June 2003, a survey by the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics revealed that approximately 2.5 million Palestinians, most of them in the Gaza Strip, live in poverty and more than 50% of Palestinians are living on less than $2 a day. Other sources state that the figure is more like 70%.

Nonetheless, it seems that not everyone suffers in Gaza. Jerusalem Post editor Brett Stephens explains that Arafat's wealth is, "Composed largely of monies pilfered from the EU and Israeli transfer payments, the kitty is estimated to contain anywhere between $300 million (according to Forbes) to $4 billion (according to Rawya Shawa of the Palestinian Legislative Council), and is distributed across bank accounts in the Cayman Islands, Switzerland, North Africa and -- at least in the late 1990s -- at the Hashmonaim branch of Bank Leumi in Tel Aviv." (Nov. 13, 2003)

On Nov. 9, 2003 CBS' "60 Minutes"
ran a report examining "Arafat's Billions." It seems that Arafat hired Jim Prince and a team of American accountants to examine his own finance ministry "Given what they've already uncovered, Arafat may be rethinking the decision." So far, Prince's team has determined that part of the Palestinian leader's wealth was in a secret portfolio worth close to $1 billion. In particular, he has investments in a Coca-Cola bottling plant in Ramallah, a Tunisian cell phone company, and venture capital funds in the U.S. and the Cayman Islands.

CBS subsequently interviewed Martin Indyk, a top adviser on the Middle East to the Clinton administration. He tells how Arafat was always traveling the world, looking for handouts. "Arafat for years would cry poor, saying, 'I can't pay the salaries, we're gonna have a disaster here, the Palestinian economy is going to collapse'," says Indyk. "And we would all mouth those words: 'The Palestinian economy is going to collapse if we don't do something about this.' But at the same time, he's accumulating hundreds of millions of dollars."

In addition, says Indyk, Arafat "accumulated another $1 billion with the help of the Israelis, of all people. That money was transferred personally to Yasser Arafat to, amongst other places, bank accounts which he maintains off-line in Israel."

However, it is not just Arafat who is feathering his nest. It seems the entire Palestinian Authority is preventing the natural flow of money. Abdel Eissa, director of the International Bank of Palestine, announced in arabicnews.com that the PA has $2 billion in local accounts and a further $30bn stashed in foreign accounts.

http://www.freemiddleeast.com notes that in 1990 the CIA estimated that the PLO generated between $8-14 billion from a 5% tax on every Palestinian working in Arab countries. In addition The London Daily Telegraph revealed that the PA has real estate holdings in London, Paris and elsewhere worth a staggering $50 billion.

The Breeding Ground

In May 2002 the IDF raided the offices of the PA. Among the documents captured in the Preventive Security Apparatus compound in Gaza were hundreds of receipts and copies of checks. These documents concern transfers to Fatah, El Aqsa Martyrs Brigade and individuals. Sums range from between a few thousand, to hundreds of thousands of dollars. Here is just one example found in this huge cache, showing Yasser Arafat's signature appropriating funds for terror activities. See more examples..

With Arafat's Intifada preventing Palestinians from working in Israel, and welfare payments diverted elsewhere, Palestinians have been left reliant on other sources of income. Enter Hamas, who not only provide welfare but also radical Islam. Hamas have been able to secure overseas funds from not only Arab sources but from many so-called "charities" in the West. This money forms a perfect recruitment tool for the cause of radical Islamic, dedicated to rid the region of Jews.

We now see a fuller picture. Money is withheld from the poor, used for self-aggrandizement or funneled into the official terror machine (Fatah, El Aqsa Martyrs Brigade). Meanwhile, large sections of a poor population are being Islamicized by Hamas. This is indeed a potent breeding ground for terror

Do something about it

Make no mistake, poverty does not cause evil -- but it does create the conditions that allow it to flourish. The Palestinians are poor and are getting poorer. The Palestinian Authority wants to keep it that way.

But you can do something about it. You don't have to sit back and feel helpless. There are now excellent on-line tools available that give you the ability to help the Palestinians out of their reliance on terror-welfare organizations such as Hamas, and at the same time help Israel.

freemiddleeast.com: This new site provides simple and effective tools to contact the media and politicians, pressuring them to take note of Arab oppressions in the Middle East. The site does almost all the work for you. The current highlighted issue is Palestinian Authority corruption. Take advantage while you can.

You could go one step further by writing a letter to your local newspaper highlighting Palestinian corruption. Call up your local radio station, and remind listeners that the PA is keeping its people deliberately poor, while at the same time purchasing weapons and lining their own pockets. Use the information from this article and also the information and links on freemiddleeast.com:

honestreporting.com: This site provides updates on media bias, and the tools to do something about it. It's a must for anyone who is genuinely interested in preventing the media manipulation of facts.

israelactivism.com: Learn the facts about Arab-Israeli conflict so that you are empowered to make a difference and educate others.

goisrael.com: Visit Israel -- show Israelis that they are not alone. If every Jew visited Israel once a year, imagine the impact!

Finally, use the best tool of all: prayer. A prayer for peace -- from the heart and with intent -- can make a world of difference.

About the Author

The opinions expressed in the comment section are the personal views of the commenters. Comments are moderated, so please keep it civil.

Visitor Comments: 5

(5)
GITEL,
November 26, 2003 12:00 AM

WHY PICK ON ISREAL

THE ARAB LEADERS HAVE MONEY AND DELIBERATLEY KEEP THEIR POEPLE POOR. MONEY IS SPENT ON TERROR INSTEAD OF BUILDING THE ECONOMY. IN THE MEANTIME ISRAEL IS BEING PANALIZED FOR DEFENDING ITSELF WHILE THE MURDERERS GET AWAY. ALSO, WHY IS THE US PUSHING ISRAEL TO GIVE UP LAND? THE PALESTINIANS HAVE WHERE TO GO BUT THE OTHER ARAB NATIONS WONT LET THEM IN? MAYBE THE US SHOULD GIVE LAND BACK TO THE INDIANS?

(4)
Jamie Eitson,
November 24, 2003 12:00 AM

Palestinian Corruption

Thanks for the info...reall an eye opener....je

I would love to visit Jerusalem...is it
safe to travel to Israel?

(3)
Jacob,
November 24, 2003 12:00 AM

finally

Its no surprise that Arafat has all this money and is hiding it from his people. Most of the Arab leaders cry poverty and then go back to their cushy homes. Its time that western government make Arab kingdoms (ie. Saudi Arabia) accountable for the aid they get and they remove corrupt leaders (Arafat) from places of leadership. Well done.

(2)
Merrilee Morse,
November 24, 2003 12:00 AM

audible gasp of shock

Corruption in the Palestinian leadership? Who would have thought? Who would have guessed? I am gasping out loud from the shock.

(1)
Herb Caron,
November 24, 2003 12:00 AM

effective presentation !

I believe that more info is needed on "incitation", massive disinformation about Jews and Israel. Specifics are needed to explain the propaganda control that sustains hatred and terror terrorism

Submit Your Comment:

Name:*

Display my name?

YesNo

Email:*

Your email address is kept private. Our editor needs it in case we have a question about your comment.

I was born with a neuromuscular disease known as Spinal Muscular Atrophy and have been confined to a wheelchair my entire life. Unfortunately my sister and I were raised without any religious instruction or guidance. My father wasn't Jewish and although my mother is, she openly claims to be an atheist. The "good news" is that both my sister and myself - independent of each other and at different times in our lives - realized that we are Jewish and chose to live a Jewish life.

Because of my disability, I'm not always able to attend services on Shabbat, but I always light candles, pray from a Siddur and read the weekly Torah portion. I would like to know whether, considering my situation, if using a computer is allowed during the Sabbath? I found the complete Bible online and since my computer is voice-activated I don't have to struggle to turn pages or continuously ask for assistance.

Thank you to everyone at Aish.com for making it possible for myself and so many others to learn about being Jewish and grow in the most important part of our lives.

The Aish Rabbi Replies:

Thank you so much for your encouraging words and for sharing your inspiring story.

God gives each of us a set of challenges. To those more capable of conquering difficulties, He gave bigger challenges. A challenge from God is a sign that He cares about us and has confidence in our ability to become great.

It sounds like you're doing great!

As for using the computer on Shabbat, that is prohibited. A foundation of Judaism is that we need to respect God's wishes, even if we think that doing otherwise is "for a good reason." Consider this story:

A king calls in his trusted minister and says: "I have an important mission for you to perform. Go to the neighboring kingdom and meet in the palace with their leaders. But remember one thing - under no circumstances must you remove your shirt during this meeting. Now go and do as I say."

The minister sets off on his merry way and soon arrives at the neighboring kingdom. There he heads straight for the palace where he meets with the King. In the midst of their discussion, he sees some of the king's officers pointing and laughing at him.

"Why are you laughing?" asks the visiting minister.

"Because we've never seen someone with such a pronounced hunchback as yourself," they say.

"What are you talking about? I'm not a hunchback!"

"Of course you are!"

"No I'm not!"

"We'll bet you one million dollars that you are!"

"Fine - I'll gladly take your bet."

"Okay, so take off your shirt and prove it."

At which point the minister remembers the parting words of the king... "under no circumstances must you remove your shirt during the meeting." Yet, the minister reasons, a million dollars would certainly bring added wealth to the king's coffers. I know I'm not a hunchback, so I'll surely win the bet. Of course, under these circumstances the king would approve...

The minister removes his shirt and proudly displays his perfect posture. With pride in his achievement, he holds out his hand, into which is placed a check for one million dollars.

The minister can barely contain his excitement. He quickly ends the meeting and runs back to give the wonderful news to his king. "I earned you a million dollars!" exclaims the minister. "It was easy. I only had to remove my shirt to prove that I wasn't a hunchback."

"You did what?!" shouts the king. "But I told you specifically not to remove your shirt. I trusted that you'd follow instructions, and so I bet the other king $10 million dollars that he couldn't get you to remove your shirt!"

The Torah tells us "Do not add or subtract from the mitzvahs." (Deut. 4:2) Jewish law is a precise metaphysical science. Consider a great work of art. Would you consider adding a few notes to a Bach fugue, or some brushstrokes to a Rembrandt portrait?!

Perfection, by definition, cannot be improved upon. Altering Torah law is an unacceptable implication that God is lacking.

The verse in Psalms 19:8 declares: "Torat Hashem Temimah" - the Torah of God is complete. For just as adding one wire to a transistor radio means it no longer can pick up reception, so too we mustn't tinker with Jewish law. The mitzvahs of God are perfect.

May the Almighty give you strength to continue your growth in Judaism.

In 1315, King Louis X of France called back the Jews who had been expelled a few decades earlier by King Louis IX. This marked a theme in Jewish-French life: expulsions and subsequent invitations to return. The French monarchy was trying to establish their land as the "new Jerusalem," and to fulfill this mission attempted several crusades to Israel. In 1615, King Louis XIII ordered that Christians were forbidden to speak with Jews, upon penalty of death. Eventually, in 1683, King Louis XIV expelled the Jews from the colony of Martinique.

Focus on what you do want. Make your goal explicit. “My goal is to increase my moments of joy.” This way, every single moment of joy is a successful moment.

Celebrate each moment of joy. Be grateful every time you experience joy.

Having this goal will place your attention on joy. Instead of feeling bad when you are not joyful, you will experience positive feelings about experiencing more joy.

Each moment of joy in your entire life is experienced one moment at a time. You can’t have more than one moment of joy in any given moment, but you can increase the number of joyful moments. How? By focusing on it.

There is no person on earth so righteous, who does only good and does not sin (Ecclesiastes 7:20).

Reading the suggestions for ridding oneself of character defects, someone might say, "These are all very helpful for someone who has character defects, but I do not see anything about myself that is defective."

In the above-cited verse, Solomon states what we should all know: no one is perfect. People who cannot easily find imperfections within themselves must have a perception so grossly distorted that they may not even be aware of major defects. By analogy, if a person cannot hear anything, it is not that the whole world has become absolutely silent, but that he or she has lost all sense of hearing and may thus not be able to hear even the loudest thunder.

In his monumental work, Duties of the Heart, Rabbeinu Bachaye quotes a wise man who told his disciples, "If you do not find defects within yourself, I am afraid you have the greatest defect of all: vanity." In other words, people who see everything from an "I am great/right" perspective will of course believe that they do no wrong.

When people can see no faults in themselves, it is generally because they feel so inadequate that the awareness of any personal defects would be devastating. Ironically, vanity is a defense against low self-esteem. If we accept ourselves as fallible human beings and also have a sense of self-worth, we can become even better than we are.

Today I shall...

be aware that if I do not find things within myself to correct, it may be because I am threatened by such discoveries.

With stories and insights,
Rabbi Twerski's new book Twerski on Machzor makes Rosh Hashanah prayers more meaningful. Click here to order...